Career Preparation Counselor

Career Counselor

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Career Services Manager

Location: Dayton, Ohio

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. One late night per week On-call rotating weekends

About the Role

We are seeking a supportive, student-focused professional to provide individualized counseling, adjustment support, and career readiness guidance to young adults during the Career Preparation Phase (CPP). This role is ideal for individuals who understand youth development, case management, advising, and student support in an educational, workforce development, or community-based setting.

This position is well-suited for individuals with experience in:

• Counseling, social services, or youth development
• Academic and career advising
• Behavioral support, coaching, or conflict resolution
• Student adjustment, retention, or engagement programming
• Case management or community resource coordination
• Group facilitation, goal-setting, and mentoring young adults

You will collaborate closely with Counseling, Career Services, Residential Living, Admissions, and community partners to provide the guidance, structure, and encouragement students need to successfully adjust, develop career goals, and prepare for long-term success.

This is an on-site, student-facing role that requires strong interpersonal skills, documentation accuracy, consistency, and the ability to support young adults as they navigate personal, academic, and career-related challenges.

Your work directly supports student retention, adjustment, goal-setting, and readiness for successful placement after graduation.

What You'll Do

Student Counseling & Career Preparation

• Provide structured, scheduled, and documented one-on-one career counseling sessions.
• Develop Personal Career Development Plans (PCDPs) outlining steps toward successful placement.
• Conduct social-development and adjustment counseling for students experiencing transition or behavioral challenges.
• Provide crisis intervention, including pregnancy counseling and immediate student support as needed.
• Counsel students on policies such as sexual harassment and fraternization.

Adjustment Support, Collaboration & Student Engagement

• Assist students with center adjustment from arrival through transition out of CPP.
• Communicate with parents, guardians, Admissions Counselors, CTS, and community agencies to support student success.
• Contact guardians of minors within 72 hours of arrival to discuss adjustment and expectations.
• Serve as a liaison between students, staff, families, and community services.
• Participate in the Career Mentoring Team (CMT) and collaborate with CDSS partners.

Accountability, Documentation & Student Records

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of attendance, leaves, and unauthorized absence (UA) retrieval.
• Maintain communication with all students in UA status and support return efforts.
• Review attendance documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Administer Evaluations of Student Progress (ESP) within established timeframes.
• Ensure all students receive timely evaluations, including a 60-day review and a formal evaluation before entering CDP.
• Provide clear documentation of counseling sessions, interventions, and student progress throughout CPP.

Career Readiness, Skill Development & Support

• Help students build Career Success Standards (CSS) competencies.
• Provide individual and group lessons, projects, and activities to support CSS mastery.
• Identify personal or academic barriers and coordinate appropriate support or referrals.
• Support CDSS department efforts to ensure students are job-ready and prepared for next-phase transition.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with at least 15 semester hours in a social-services-related field.
• Two to three years of related experience; youth or student-focused experience preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain).
• Strong public speaking, communication, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Computer proficiency, including email, internet navigation, and Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Eligibility to work in the U.S. (I-9 verification required).
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening.

Additional Information

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and may be adjusted as needed. Employees will be notified of any changes.

Dynamic Workforce Solutions values diversity, equity, and inclusion, believing that a wide range of experiences strengthens our work and our impact. We strive to provide equal access to opportunities, information, and support for all team members and the communities we serve.

Equal Opportunity Employer • Dynamic Workforce Solutions is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.